Lamar Odom Returning To Los Angeles Lakers? Rumors Fueled By Dwight Howard TradeTo Houston Rockets

Following the departures of starting center Dwight Howard and backup Earl Clark, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.

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Howard recently signed with the Houston Rockets after just one season in Los Angeles and with the loss of his fill-in Earl Clark to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Lakers are in serious need of a big presence and as multiple sources indicate, a familiar face may be making a return to one of the NBA's most historic franchises.

Lamar Odom, a 33-year-old forward who is married to reality television star Khloe Kardashian, left Los Angeles on shaky terms before the start of the 2012 season following multiple championship seasons with the organization.

According to ESPN however, the 2011 NBA Sixth Man of the Year could soon find himself wearing purple and gold once again since his former club has already reached out to him.

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Odom was traded in 2011 shortly after the Lakers announced they would ship the former University of Rhode Island star and Pau Gasol to the Hornets for premier point guard Chris Paul. When that trade was rejected, CBS Sports indicates that Odom grew unhappy with being used as trade bait. Ultimately sent to the Dallas Mavericks for a conditional first-round pick, Odom departed Los Angeles with a bad taste in his mouth.

Odom won 2 titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and should he return to a team he enjoyed great success with for 7 seasons, Los Angeles may be able to remain among the top teams in the Western Conference since they still have future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant leading the team.

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A native of South Jamaica, Queens, New York, Odom averaged 4 points, over 5 rebounds and nearly 2 assists in 82 appearances for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. In one year with the Mavericks during the 2011-2012 season, the forward totaled over 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.